Why First Support

Confirm the rule is enabled (the toggle in Rules) and that the match mode fits the URL: "Exact domain" only matches that domain, while "Include subdomains" also matches subdomains like m.example.com. Rules take effect immediately — no restart needed.

Everything the extension keeps lives in your browser's local extension storage and is not sent to us. Settings → Data offers a JSON export for backup; import is available on the same page. The one optional exception is Pro config sync: switch it on and your browser's own sync service (Google for Chrome, Mozilla for Firefox) — not Why First — carries your rules and settings between devices. It is off by default, and browsing history, intent reasons and statistics are never synced.

Open Settings → Pro, paste the license key from your purchase email, and activate. Activation sends the license key, an anonymous install ID, the product ID, the app version and your browser family to our stateless license service — no login, no email, no browsing data; later refresh and deactivation requests send only the signed credential and the app version. The extension then works offline; a device that stays offline keeps Pro through a grace period of 60 days by default (configurable between 30 and 90), after which it falls back to Free until the next successful check (your rules, stats and reasons are kept). While you are online the extension refreshes the license in the background, normally about once a week or two, so refunded or revoked keys stop working at the next successful check. If activation fails, double-check the key for extra spaces.

Only if you explicitly allow it: in chrome://extensions (or about:addons in Firefox), enable "Run in private windows" for Why First. It is off by default.

Click the toolbar icon and pause the current site's rule, or open Settings and disable rules globally. You can resume any time.